Two accused of threatening man who owed them money, robbing him

BANGOR, Maine — A male victim apparently owed money to the two people who robbed him last week, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Monday, and the two could face 10-year prison sentences if convicted of threatening him and taking all the money in his pockets.

The victim was parked at Tim Hortons on Broadway around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, when Antonio Gonzalez, 20, and Brooke Shirey, 29, both of Bangor, pulled their vehicle in behind him and blocked his exit, the sergeant said.

The two were upset with the victim because he reportedly owed them money. Diverted prescription pills were mentioned by those involved, leading police to believe that the incident involved illegal drug activity, Edwards said.

Gonzalez got out of the couple’s vehicle first and was joined by Shirey. They asked the victim to pay back the money owed, and “there was a threat of violence,” Edwards said.

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“At some point during the confrontation the victim did give up a very small amount of cash he had on him,” the sergeant said.

After taking the money, which was less than $20, Gonzalez and Shirey left and police were called. Officer Mike Brennan led the investigation and through some “good old fashioned police work” discovered the identities of Gonzalez and Shirey, Edwards said.

Brennan stopped the couple at about 2:30 p.m. the following day, Nov. 24, on Main Street and charged both Gonzalez and Shirey with felony robbery, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000, if convicted.

Both were taken to Penobscot County Jail in Bangor. Gonzalez has been released, but Shirey remained in jail on Monday.

CORRECTION:

Because of incorrect information provided by the police, an earlier version of this article misspelled the name of the man accused of felony robbery. He is Antonio Gonzalez, not Gonzales.